Combination cushion and life preserver



p 1958- J. E. PATTERSON 2,851,706

COMBINATION CUSHION AND LIFE PRESERVER Filed June 14, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 John E. Patterson INVENTOR.

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Sept. 16, 1958 J. E. PATTERSON 2,851,706

COMBINATION CUSHION AND LIFE PRESERVER Filed June 14, 1955 2 ShQets -Sheet 2 5- Patterson IN V EN TOR,

United States Patent COMBINATION CUSHION AND LIFE PRESERVER John E. Patterson,- Little Rock, Ark., assignor of fifty percent to Lloyd E. Wilson, Little Rock, Ark.

Application June 14, 1955, Serial No. 515,319

2 Claims. (Cl. 9-17) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in combination seat cushions and life preservers, and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which may be comfortably worn or attached to the body at all times ready to automatically function to keep the wearer afloat with the head above the surface in the event of an emergency.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a combination seat cushion and life preserver of the aforementioned character which may be readily adjusted to properly and comfortably fit persons of dilferent sizes.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a comblnation seat cushion and life preserver of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, light in weight, highly eflicient and reliable in use and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which Wlll become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a combination seat cushion and life preserver constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in vertical section through the device; and

Figure 3 is a detail view in perspective of one of the rollers.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in vertical section through the rear portion of the device.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a buoyant cushion of suitable material and dimensions which is designated generally by reference character 5. Connected to the rear portion of the cushion 5 is a flexible, adjustable body harness 6.

The harness 6 includes a waist encircling belt 7, the end portions of which are adjustably connected by a suitable buckle 8. Mounted at spaced points on the fi'ont and back of the belt 7 are front and back buckles 9 and 10, respectively.

The harness 6 further includes a pair of shoulder straps 11, the front end portions of which are adjustably connected to the belt 7 by the buckles 9. Front and rear cross-straps 12 and 13, respectively, extend between the shoulder straps 11. Flexible loops or guide straps 14 are mounted longitudinally on the back portions of the shoulder straps 11 and have their end portions stitched or otherwise suitably secured thereto.

Straps 15 connect the harness 6 to the cushion 5. The connecting straps 15 have one end portion adjust- Patented Sept. 16, 1958 ably secured, together with the connected lower end portions of the straps 11 and 14 to the belt 7 by the buckles 10, as shown to advantage in Figure 4 of the drawing.

Stationary rollers 16 are mounted on the rear portion of the cushion 5. The straps 15 are trained downwardly, forwardly and upwardly under 'the rollers 16 and are provided on their free ends with rollers 17 which are operable between the members 11 and 14 of the harness 6. The rollers 17 are journaled on wire yokes 18 which travel on the guide straps 14.

It is though that the operation or use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the harness 6 is adjusted and secured on the body of the wearer. The construction and arrangement, it will be observed, is such that when thus attached, the cushion 5 may be readily placed on a seat or other suitable support to function as a pad. However, should the wearer be immersed in the water, the cushion 5 immediately rises to the surface in the manner shown in broken lines in Figure 2 of the drawing. When this occurs, the rollers 17 travel up the harness 6. Thus, the slack is taken out of the connecting straps 15, the center of gravity is shifted and the cushion 5 keeps the wearer of the device afloat with his or her head above the surface of the Water. A pocket 19 is provided on the cushion 5 in which the harness 6 may be stored when not in use. When walking, the cushion 5 may be carried on the back, as also suggested in Figure 2 of the drawmg.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A life preserve of the character described comprising: a buoyant cushion, a pair of rollers mounted on said cushion, a harness comprising an adjustable waist belt, a pair of shoulder straps having their end portions adjustably connected to said belt at circumferentially spaced points, a pair of flexible guide loops mounted on one end portion of said shoulder straps, a pair of connecting straps having one end connected to the shoulder straps, said connecting straps being trained under said rollers, and rollers on the other ends of the connecting straps adapted to travel between'the guide loops and the shoulder straps for slidably securing said other ends of said connecting straps to the harness and for connecting the cushion to said harness.

2. A life preserver comprising a buoyant cushion, a body harness including a belt and a pair of shoulder straps having their end portions secured to said belt, a pair of guide straps mounted longitudinally on one end portion of the shoulder straps and having their end portions secured thereto, and a pair of connecting straps slidably connected to the cushion and having one end anchored to the belt and their other ends slidably connected to said guide straps for connecting said cushion to the harness.

References Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 420,690 Italy May 2, 1947 930,308 France Jan. 22, 1948 953,765 France Dec. 13, 1949 

